A-Line Skirts - YouLookFab Forum

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

A-Line Skirts

Lee Hovey

With all this talk about the fit of pencil skirts I am thinking of how I have been trying to find the perfect A-line skirt. I am an hourglass who leans pear shaped, so I prefer darker colors and more structured fabrics on the bottom.

But I need help finding the perfect a-line! I would soo love if you girls could post any that you come acrossed... I have a limited budget of around $50.

Thanks!!

Shopping

28 replies

Latest reply was from candace

Laura

(website)

Veteran

This exact item is on my wish list too. I haven't seen quite the right thing yet, but will post if I do. I'm hunting for an A-line skirt with vertical seaming, in any color (once I see some examples I will get pickier about colors and fabrics!).

shell

i'm in the market for some cute (and inexpensive) a-line skirts as well! i probably won't actually get any, since i'm on a shopping ban for awhile, but if the right one comes along.... here are some i found on a shopstyle.com search:

My personal faves
http://store.alloy.com/item.do.....05JObOgSqA (love the bow at the back!)

http://www.forever21.com/twelv.....38;Page=1# (the zipper trim is fab!!)

Solids
http://bananarepublic.gap.com/.....ID=2178999

http://www.tobi.com/product/18.....r_id=21684

http://www2.victoriassecret.co.....%20Catalog

http://www2.victoriassecret.co.....%20Catalog

http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStor.....-_-Primary

http://www.dkny.com/nshop/prod.....=Clearance

Prints
http://bananarepublic.gap.com/.....ID=2178999 (note: it's a petite size)

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/.....ID=2178999 (same as last, but regular sizing)

http://www.mangoshop.com/shop......7F.mangof6

Florals
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/29.....3b1lkXX7_w

http://www.charlotterusse.com/.....age=family

Hope some of them work for you!

taylor

Veteran

Ann Taylor always has A -line skirts on sale!!

Antje

Veteran

Boden is a good bet, too, if you like their prints.

Lee Hovey

OMG I LOVE the zipper trimed one Shell!! That purple color is so rich too!

And I don't know if I should be but I am deathly afraid of pleats in skirt! I feel like they add weight to me... same thing with layers, ruffles, and bows on the bottom half. Am I just being self conscious???

I did try on this one from ATL, Taylor, but it's too long and poofy for my slightly pear body I think. http://www.anntaylorloft.com/c.....ses#ATLtop

Lee Hovey

I really like this skirt, but I don't think either color would be ideal for me. Maybe it'd work for one of you girls also looking for a skirt.

http://www.anntaylorloft.com/c.....ses#ATLtop

Others:
http://www.anntaylorloft.com/c.....ses#ATLtop (Though it's not technically A-line, I link the shape)

Out of my price range (maybe good for others)
http://www.anntaylor.com/catal.....ory=Misses

http://www.anntaylor.com/catal.....ory=Misses

http://www.anntaylor.com/catal.....ory=Misses

http://www.anntaylor.com/catal.....ory=Misses

Inge

(website)

Beautiful examples Shell and Kendra! That green colour of the Tobi skirt is magnificent!

One thing I've noticed is that you both selected mostly fuller skirts and skirts with pleats. And I love those, but I've discovered that they don't work so well for me personally (like you, I'm not completely sure if it's only in my head, Kendra;-). I think I look better in a more simple A-line, like the last AT skirt you posted. Unfortunately these seem to be even harder to find. Sure wish I could wear fuller skirts too.

Some examples:
http://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/.....Skirt.html

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/.....ID=2178999

http://www.target.com/gp/detai.....M=Clothing||B001L4ILW8&CPNG=women&ref=tgt_adv_XSC10001

http://www.modcloth.com/store/.....rden+Skirt

http://files.hm.com/media/prod.....1_0469.jpg
(H&M, this has a pleat though)

http://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/.....Skirt.html

Laura

(website)

Veteran

I'm with you, Inge. What I'm keeping an eye out for is a very structured A-line, meaning no fullness to it, and seams that emphasize the vertical line. I can envision it in my mind -- the question is, does it exist in reality??

The hunt is on ...

Inge

(website)

Exactly what I'm looking for too Laura! You've read my mind. AND, in my case, length will probably be an issue too.

Perhaps we should take up sewing lessons and start making our own clothes;-)
(NOT going to happen anytime soon, I am the Queen of Clumsiness and still break out in a sweat when I think about needlework and knitting classes in primary school;-)

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Inge, we are separated at birth. My eighth grade Home Economics class sewing project was a blue corduroy wrap skirt (strategic thinking, since I was trying to avoid the high-difficulty maneuver of inserting a zipper). By the time it was complete, the corduroy near the seams was worn bare, thanks to the fact that I had to rip the seams out and re-sew it so many times

I hear that San is taking up sewing. Maybe we can commission her?

Inge

(website)

Oh Laura, I almost fell of my chair laughing!

We are twins!-) Although I didn't even get that far. You actually assembled a complete skirt. Our 'creative' teacher had a novel idea: she made us sew an etui in which to store our knitting needles! Hello, this was 1985 AND it was pretty clear by then that I would never voluntarily knit something again, ever!!!

(I hope San reads this;-))

And Kendra: sorry about hijacking your thread!

Lee Hovey

Don't be sorry... you guys are hilarious! And making me glad all they forced us to sew was a pencil case out out hefty nylon. LOL I did enjoy woodshop very much though! (I still have the nightstand I made) I wonder what that says about me?

Oh yeah back to skirts... Inge thats exactly the type of skirt I REALLY want! The structured a-line! I am kind of acfraid of patterns too (I seem to have a lot of nerosis regarding my bottom half LOL)

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Hey! I wasn't done with this hilarious conversation! Too many new threads ...

So yes, I am totally jealous that you guys didn't have to sew an actual garment. Some day I will relate the gigantic failure of my presentation on blow-drying your hair in the personal beauty segment of our class

But back to Kendra's very good question. I found one structured A-line skirt from NL on Bluefly, but sizes are few and far between. This is the basic idea, though:

http://www.bluefly.com/Nanette.....detail.fly

Inge

(website)

The NL skirt is beautiful Laura, are you going to try it (if they still have your size)?
21 inches is too short for me unfortunately, I need at least 25'.

Kendra: you made a nightstand with your own two hands!! You are my hero!
(Past experiences have made it abundantly clear that handiwork of any kind is not in my future;-)

By the way, I did get a floral A-line skirt from Boden last year, and actually feel good in that. So don't give up patterned skirts just yet.

Oooh Laura, the things they put you through in that school of yours. Appalling!!-)

Inge

(website)

By the way: does a crocheted hat count as an actual garment? Then I did make something after all!!!

Don't ask how many weeks, tears of frustration and near nervous breakdowns (my poor Mum's) it took...

Lee Hovey

Laura, that bluefly skirt is gorgeous, and perfect! Except...$125? Egads....

Inge, yes... though I did nearly lose a few fingers in the process. LOL haven't built much since.

YOu have inspired me to continue trying patterns....

Laura

(website)

Veteran

I admire you ladies and your woodworking ways. Meanwhile, I was focused on perfecting my cinnamon toast and minute steaks in the cooking segment

And yes Inge, crocheted anything counts, especially given the blood, sweat and tears involved (for your Mum!).

I agree, the price on the NL skirt is too steep, and sadly, I cannot squeeze into a size 2! But the idea is there.

What do you think about Boden prints? Do you like any of the current ones? I do think their skirt styles are great, and they usually are cotton, which makes them nice and casual. I just gave away a Boden printed top from a few years ago because I felt that the message every time I wore it was: BODEN WHIMSICAL PRINT. You know?

Lee Hovey

LOL, "Boden Whimsical Print".... and what's wrong with that?

I do like alot of the boden prints... I keep my eye on them to go on sale.

Inge

(website)

I'm going to call my Mum tonight and tell her that people in the States now know of her crocheting ordeal;-)

I'm not super enthusiastic about the prints of their current A-line skirt. Although I have been wondering how the last print (PNK) would look on me.
http://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/.....Skirt.html
(I think my floral one is the exact same cut and fabric, it's perfect for warm weather).

Nobody knows Boden here, but I can imagine people recognize the prints where you live;-)

Lee Hovey

Yeah thats the skirt I really want but I like the teal and brown version... teal is kinda my signature color

Inge

(website)

That would be my second choice, I love teal too;-)

Go for it Kendra! I find that prints are unpredictable. Sometimes they look so-so on the hanger and fantastic on (and the other way around).

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Boden is very known where I live - people have buying parties at their houses with local Boden reps in attendance. Ironic that we think Boden is sooooo Euro! I wonder if anyone in the UK actually wears it??

I also saw this skirt at JJill of all places. The seaming is just the idea I had in mind. If only it ended at the knee. And wasn't linen. And wasn't this beige color

http://www.jjill.com/jjillonli.....;ac=search

tarzy

Veteran

Add me to the list of those looking for the perfect A-line. I'd like to start with a basic denim, dark wash. Think it would be easy, huh?

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Welcome to the club Tara

Since Kendra has Inge on board with the search I am confident that she will turn up something at some point in the season!

tarzy

Veteran

These come in a nice color selection, but they're linen, so maybe they're wrinkle-city?

http://www1.talbots.com/talbot.....&sk=M

Inge

(website)

LOL Laura, SO close;-)

Nice colours indeed Tara, but I'm wondering about wrinkles too. And do I remember correctly that a bias-cut is not so flattering for more curvy bottoms/heavier thighs (I think I heard that on WNTW a few times)?

I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for A-line skirts for all of us. Hopefully more options will pop up soon.

ChristineB

I'm a sewist & make my own skirts (have for years so that they actually fit) but I don't sew denim. I'm like Tara & would love to find a denim a-line skirt that fits properly & is to the knee.

candace

thanks Shell....I just bought the black a line skirt at Kohl's. I have never bought clothes from Kohl's before. And they only had size 8 left, my size, at only 20 dollars too. I hope its not too long. I also bought a cute black and white knit dress. If you spend 75 the shipping is free and I can always return anything to the local Kohl's.